fail
A1Neutral (Used across all registers from formal to informal)
Definition
Meaning
To not succeed in achieving, reaching, or completing a goal, standard, or required action.
To be insufficient or decline; to stop functioning properly; to disappoint or let someone down.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Fail" implies an attempt was made. It can be transitive (e.g., fail an exam) or intransitive (e.g., the plan failed). It often carries a negative judgement or sense of disappointment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling in past participle: UK often 'has failed', US also 'has failed' (no difference). In UK education, 'fail' is commonly used with specific exam subjects (e.g., 'fail maths'), while US English may use 'fail in' slightly more formally.
Connotations
Equally strong negative connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
fail + to-infinitive (e.g., He failed to arrive.)fail + object (e.g., She failed her driving test.)fail + intransitive (e.g., The engine failed.)fail + someone (e.g., I feel I failed you.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “without fail”
- “fail safe”
- “fail to see (the point/justification)”
- “words fail me”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The product launch failed to meet its quarterly targets."
Academic
"The hypothesis was rejected after the experiment failed to yield significant results."
Everyday
"I failed to set my alarm and overslept."
Technical
"The system will enter a safe mode if the primary sensor fails."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- If you fail to submit the coursework, you will not get a grade.
- The company failed due to poor management.
- He failed his motorcycle test twice in Croydon.
American English
- The bill failed to pass the Senate by three votes.
- My brakes failed on the highway.
- She failed chemistry in her freshman year.
adverb
British English
- Used rarely. 'The operation ended fail.' is non-standard.
American English
- Used rarely. 'The system performed fail.' is non-standard.
adjective
British English
- The fail-safe mechanism engaged automatically.
- They conducted a fail drill for the new system.
American English
- The fail-safe device prevented a catastrophe.
- A fail result on the diagnostic test requires a retake.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I don't want to fail my English test.
- He tried to cook dinner but failed.
- If you fail to pay the bill on time, there will be a late fee.
- The peace talks have failed again.
- The government is failing to address the core issues of the crisis.
- Despite his efforts, he failed to impress the selection committee.
- The author argues that the state has utterly failed in its fiduciary duty to citizens.
- His courage failed him at the critical moment.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a frail bridge that might FAIL and collapse under weight.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUCCESS IS UP, FAILURE IS DOWN (e.g., 'His grades fell.', 'She dropped the course.'); ACHIEVING A PURPOSE IS REACHING A DESTINATION, FAILING IS NOT ARRIVING (e.g., 'The plan never got off the ground.', 'He fell short of the finish line.')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'fail' as 'провалить' for letting someone down (use 'подвести'). 'Fail an exam' is 'провалить экзамен' or 'не сдать экзамен'. 'Fail to do something' is often 'не суметь сделать что-либо'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I failed from the exam.' Correct: 'I failed the exam.'
- Incorrect: 'He failed reaching the summit.' Correct: 'He failed to reach the summit.'
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'fail' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in its core meaning. However, in contexts like 'fail-safe' or 'failing forward' (learning from mistakes), it can have a neutral or constructive nuance.
'Fail' implies an attempt that fell short of a standard or expectation. 'Miss' often means not hitting a target, not being present for, or not noticing something (e.g., 'miss a shot', 'miss a meeting', 'miss a detail'). You 'fail' a test you took; you 'miss' a test you didn't take.
Yes, though less common. It means an instance of failing (e.g., 'The project was a complete fail.' - informal, or 'I had three passes and one fail.')
Typically 'fail' is followed directly by an object (fail the test) or an infinitive with 'to' (fail to arrive). The preposition 'in' is sometimes used with a general area (e.g., 'He failed in his attempt.' / 'She failed in mathematics.'), but it's often optional.